Septic Systems & Liquid Waste

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Septic & Well Records Request - Click here

Northern Nevada Public Health Environmental Health Services (EHS) division has regulatory authority over sewage and wastewater disposal within Washoe County.  The regulations cover residential on-site sewage disposal systems (septics), sewage and wastewater pumping contractors,  non-sewered toilet operators (portable toilets) and waste water dump stations.  The division also responds to complaints of improper sewage releases that could expose the public to risk.  

Commercial septic systems do not fall under EHS authority by state statute; contact Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Bureau of Water Pollution Control for commercial septic permitting.

 

*** DRAFT REGULATION CHANGES ***

NNPH staff are proposing changes to the Regulations of the Washoe County District Board of Health Governing Sewage, Wastewater and Sanitation. A draft of the proposed regulation changes can be found here: SWS 2025 Draft Regulation Changes

Justifications for the proposed changes can be found here: SWS Regulation Change Justification

 Click here to provide feedback on these proposed regulation changes. 

 

 Regulation changes FAQ

Q: I own a property with a septic system. How will these changes affect me?
A: The updates mainly clarify policies and requirements for new septic system construction. Existing homeowners will not have any new requirements.

Q: Will I have to connect to the municipal sewer?
A: No, these changes do not require existing systems to connect to sewer.

Q: I have an existing lot that is less than 1 acre, will I still be able to construct a new septic system?
A: Yes, existing lots will be allowed to have a septic system, provided sewer is not available within 200 feet and all applicable setbacks and regulations are met.

Click here for the regulation change public workshop powerpoint presentation

 

New Septic Design and Planning

Development of properties that will be served by a septic system are required to undergo a design process to ensure that effluent discharge will not impact groundwater or create a public exposure risk. 

The first step in the planning process of a new residential septic system is a test trench inspection. During this inspection, EHS staff will look for limiting layers, perform a simple soil profile, and determine if percolation tests of the soil are needed.   A licensed engineer would perform any such required percolation testing. Refer to the Test Trench Permit Application Requirements (English) (Spanish) for specifics on what is needed for a test trench permit and how to construct the trench. Once a test trench has been inspected, EHS staff will issue a report outlining ideal septic system type, soil profile, property limitations or concerns. The test trench report will become part of the permanent record for the property.

New septic designs must be permitted along with the Building Permit for the building it will serve. EHS staff review Building Permits alongside all other agencies and will conduct a site visit for every permit application. Refer to the Septic System Permit Application Requirements (English) (Spanish) for the minimum requirements for all septic related building permits. Additional items may be required based on site conditions.

Building on Properties Served by Septic

EHS also reviews all building permits for property build outs (e.g. additions, garages, barns) on properties served by septic to ensure the existing septic is not impacted and that sufficient space remains for future replacement of the disposal field. Refer to the Septic System Permit Application Requirements (English) (Spanish) for the minimum requirements for all building permits for properties served by septic. Additional items may be required based on site conditions.

When a septic system does fail, a similar process is used to permit a replacement disposal field.  

 

 

*** UPCOMING TRAININGS***

What Real Estate Professionals Need to Know about Properties Served by Septic or Well in Washoe County 

Upcoming Training Sessions: 

Monday January 12, 2026 @ 3:00 PM    NNPH Conference Rooms A & B, 1001 E. Ninth Street, Reno, 89512

Monday April 13, 2026 @ 3:00 PM         NNPH Conference Rooms A & B, 1001 E. Ninth Street, Reno, 89512

Click here to register for this free training.

Septic System Resources

 

Contact the Program

Latricia Lord, REHS - Septic Systems, Domestic Wells, Public Water Systems
Senior Environmental Health Specialist
llord@nnph.org 
(775) 328-2689

David Kelly, REHS - Parcel Maps, Septic Systems, Domestic Wells, Public Water Systems, and Liquid Waste Haulers
Environmental Health Specialist Supervisor
dakelly@nnph.org 
(775) 846-6623

General email
HealthEHS@nnph.org

Last modified on 10/27/2025